The importance of air quality management can never be overemphasized in human society where good health is desired. Air determines the survival, growth, energy, wellbeing of every human, animal, and plant. This, therefore, makes it expedient that we all keep careful watch over our daily activities to ensure things that can serve as a pollutant to the air is avoided. Doing this simply means we are managing the air quality of our environment.
Air quality management can be defined as the techniques used by cooperating bodies, or individuals in regulating all societal activities (indoor or outdoor) that are capable of polluting the air. Although air pollutants cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. However, the hazardous effects of these pollutants have called for prompt attention. Despite this, human beings still engage in daily activities that cause toxic gas and chemicals to be released into the air. This has, therefore, made it almost impossible for many residents in different communities to enjoy fresh breath. Consequently, many have developed health problems like damaged lungs, sore throat, chest pain, nausea, asthma, etc.
To protect ourselves, and our loved ones from suffering chronic health issues as a result of polluted air, air quality management should be part of our daily practice.
Here Are Some Common Causes Of Air Pollutants
- Agricultural Activities:Planting, rearing of farm animals, and many other agricultural activities have been lucrative and highly practiced professions in every society. To prevent farm products from being destroyed by dangerous organisms. Many agriculturists use chemicals like insecticide or pesticides, thereby polluting the air through toxic elements present in these substances.
- Bush Burning:This act is notable among the rural populace during the environmental cleaning process. However, research shows that harmful chemicals are released into the air as a result of bush burning.
- Industrial Emission:Most industries reduce air quality during goods production. This is because most of the machines used by these industries have toxic gases that spread harmful chemicals into the atmosphere. For example, dust and other toxic chemicals are released into the air during mining.
- Transportation:This is the most common air pollutants in every society because transportation is inexpedient. There are different ways that people use in transporting themselves or goods from one place to the other, such as vehicles, motorcycles, trains, etc. During these modes of transportation, a harmful substance like nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emanates from the transporting machines, thereby, circulate throughout the atmosphere and lead to air pollution.
Having known some activities that cause pollutants in the air, here are some disadvantages of low air quality management:
- Research shows that children who live in environments where air quality is poorly managed stand the health risk of pneumonia and asthma.
- Low air quality management can also lead to global warming. As a result, the temperature level increases and becomes unfavorable, this can lead to the loss of sea habitats like whales, penguins, fish, etc. Low agricultural production and proliferation of certain insect-borne diseases might also occur.
- Low air quality management can cause depletion of the ozone layer. This might result in acid rain which will lead to loss of natural minerals, animals, forest trees, etc.
- It causes respiratory problems and certain health problems such as difficulty breathing, coughing, wheezing, lung cancer, chest pain, etc.
Improving and managing air quality will help in keeping our lives safe from hazardous diseases and unforeseen loss of natural resources. It has become every individual’s responsibility to keep the environment clean, avoid illegal cutting of trees, avoid burning of waste products, plant trees that will serve as a natural source of fresh air, etc. Commitment to these roles will help bring about a society where the citizens’ health is guaranteed.
Furthermore, the benefits of quality air are beyond the protection of human health but have an advantage on other components that make up a society.
Importance Of Air Quality Management
- There will be an increase in agricultural productivity. Air quality management will help reduce the rate at which pests invade plant crops, thereby, farmers will get more increase in harvest.
- Protection of depletion of the ozone layer that may lead to climate change which will help save the world from unpleasant catastrophes such as ice age, acid rain, etc.
- It increases human’s level of productivity because working or living in a healthy environment makes us feel great and relaxed.
- There will be a low animal mortality rate when air quality is well managed.
- Decrease of insect-borne diseases and certain air-borne diseases, e.g: Tuberculosis, influenza, chickenpox, measles, cold, mumps, etc.
- Reduction of neonatal mortality, as infants will be protected from contracting life-threatening air-borne diseases.
- Healthy sea life and growth of sea habitats.
- Stabilized average temperature and humidity level, which will help keep the environment calm.
- Air quality management will also help secure the finance of society because the government will have to spend less on environmental protection services.
- Air quality management help protect an individual from infections that can weaken the body’s immune system.
Management of air quality requires daily roles that every member of society should play. These roles start from the indoor environment to the outdoor environment, because activities that tend to pollute the air largely occur behind closed doors. Moreover, research shows that indoor air pollutants are more dangerous to health than outdoor pollutants.
Negligence of air quality management in a closed environment can lead to sickness, and then pollutants from such environment will spread to the outdoor environment, causing hazardous infections on natural resources and people.
How To Achieve Air Quality Management In Society?
- By purchasing an energy-effective air purifier for indoor use.
- The government should make provision for the rural environments to dump their refuse.
- Organization of enlightening programs on air quality management.
- Implementation of standard policies for the reinforcement of environmental protection policy.